If Mr Justice Williams is asked by the Court of Appeal for his reasons for his decision – as he must be as part of their consideration of any application for permission to appeal then he will recall that decision makers (including judges) are expected nowadays always to provide reasons for any decisions. In R v Knightsbridge Crown Court, Ex parte International Sporting Club (London) Ltd [1982] QB 304 Div Ct at page 31 (5 Jun 1981) Griffiths LJ made the point: ‘It is the function of professional judges to give reasons for their decisions…. This court would look askance at the refusal by a judge to give his reasons for a decision particularly if requested to do so by one of the parties. It does not fall for decision in this case, but it may well be that if such a case should arise this court would find that it had power to order the judge to give his reasons for his decision’.
Mr Justice Williams got the limelight then for appealing to a mother to return with her son after the threats of taking the child into care if she did not agree contact and this where allegations of serious domestic abuse had been made against the father.
Mr Justice Williams seemingly now has gone on Xmas leave, seems like he will have a busy week when he returns after Xmas dealing with the "public" fallout of his decisions last week.
It doesn't seem like Mr Rozenberg's suggestion to provide his reasoning is going to be upheld, well not at least until after the dust has settled somewhat.
Transparency and accountability to the extent at least of identification of judges are of the essence and pearls beyond price BUT as always with the law there may conceivably be special circumstances leading to discretely worded exceptions. And so: reasons from Williams,J, are also of the essence.
I am deeply disturbed about Mr Justice Williams decision here but having been on the wrong end of another one of his decisions last week then there is no option but to appeal to the Court of Appeal. I certainly will be doing.
If Mr Justice Williams is asked by the Court of Appeal for his reasons for his decision – as he must be as part of their consideration of any application for permission to appeal then he will recall that decision makers (including judges) are expected nowadays always to provide reasons for any decisions. In R v Knightsbridge Crown Court, Ex parte International Sporting Club (London) Ltd [1982] QB 304 Div Ct at page 31 (5 Jun 1981) Griffiths LJ made the point: ‘It is the function of professional judges to give reasons for their decisions…. This court would look askance at the refusal by a judge to give his reasons for a decision particularly if requested to do so by one of the parties. It does not fall for decision in this case, but it may well be that if such a case should arise this court would find that it had power to order the judge to give his reasons for his decision’.
Very timely Joshua 👏🏻🙂👇🏻
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/dec/14/moves-to-appeal-after-court-upholds-ban-on-naming-judges-who-presided-over-sara-sharif-hearings
I think it also relevant to refer back to Mr Justice Williams involvement in the case involving Ellie Yarrow-Sanders
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-47230289
Mr Justice Williams got the limelight then for appealing to a mother to return with her son after the threats of taking the child into care if she did not agree contact and this where allegations of serious domestic abuse had been made against the father.
Mr Justice Williams seemingly now has gone on Xmas leave, seems like he will have a busy week when he returns after Xmas dealing with the "public" fallout of his decisions last week.
It doesn't seem like Mr Rozenberg's suggestion to provide his reasoning is going to be upheld, well not at least until after the dust has settled somewhat.
Transparency and accountability to the extent at least of identification of judges are of the essence and pearls beyond price BUT as always with the law there may conceivably be special circumstances leading to discretely worded exceptions. And so: reasons from Williams,J, are also of the essence.
I am deeply disturbed about Mr Justice Williams decision here but having been on the wrong end of another one of his decisions last week then there is no option but to appeal to the Court of Appeal. I certainly will be doing.